F404GE400

F404GE400 is a designation used for a variant of the General Electric (GE) F404 turbofan engine family. Developed by GE Aviation, the F404GE400 is a compact, high-thrust, afterburning low-bypass turbofan designed for fighter aircraft. It belongs to the family of engines that power several fourth-generation fighters, offering a balance of power, efficiency, and reliability.

Technical features include a two-spool axial-flow design, an afterburner, and a modular, maintainable architecture. The engine is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and a variable geometry nozzle, enabling responsive throttle and optimized performance across flight regimes. Materials and cooling strategies are chosen to sustain high-temperature operation during combat maneuvers and afterburning.

Operational history and applications: The F404GE400 was commonly associated with contemporary carrier-based fighter platforms, most notably powering versions of the F/A-18 Hornet family. It was produced and maintained to meet the demands of naval and allied air forces, with service entries in the late 20th century and ongoing updates through lifecycle programs.

Variants and lineage: The F404GE400 is one member of the broader F404 family, which includes several engine variants produced by GE Aviation, each tuned for different airframes and mission requirements. The family has been superseded in some roles by newer GE engines but remains a reference point in fighter propulsion design.